VENATOR (IPA: [ve'na:tor]) Latin word for hunter. Mid 17th century: Latin, from venari ‘to hunt’. Since man first walked this earth, we have hunted. It’s who we are and how we see life. It balances our world and renews our senses. It awakens our soul and makes us feel truly alive. It challenges our patience, our skill, our heart. The purest sport known to man. Without exception. For as long as I walk this earth, I will pursue the hunt. WELCOME TO THE SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE When early British settlers brought game hunting animals to New Zealand, they had a vision for the ultimate sportsman’s paradise – a place where it was possible to hunt and fish in breathtaking terrain. Venator Cardrona Safaris has fulfilled that dream, offering the best of New Zealand in one unforgettable experience – from world-record stags, to world-class hospitality and countless open-air adventures right on your doorstep. Whatever experience you are dreaming of, and whichever desires you wish to indulge, there is one place that has it all. Venator Cardrona Safaris The South Pacific’s true sportsman’s paradise Duncan Fraser, Owner of Cardrona Safaris WORLD-RECORD STAGS I NTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED Venator Cardrona Safaris is renowned for offering the We are proud to have hosted world business leaders, oil most exclusive hunting opportunities for the biggest tycoons, members of royal families and Middle-Eastern red stags in the world. sheikhs, with a high percentage of return clients. Hunt the New Zealand EXPERIENCED GUIDES REMARKABLE DESTINATION trip of a lifetime We have experienced hunting guides who are experts Located in the most popular tourist area in New Zealand, in New Zealand’s back country, delivering the hunting which offers the best hunting and tourism combination vacation of a lifetime! They are all experts in the terrain, in the country, the small resort town of Wanaka is ideal climate and wildlife of the Venator Cardrona Safaris for non-hunters and only a 10-minute drive from our Game Preserve. hunting area. Being a guest at Venator Cardrona Safaris means experiencing the very best New Zealand has to offer. Venator was established by the Fraser family in the 1980s with a clear vision to create a premium experience unavailable anywhere else. For over 30 years they have specialised in two of New Zealand’s strongest activities – tourism and agriculture. LUXURY LODGE EXCLUSIVE HUNTING AREAS Venator Cardrona Safaris and luxury lodges spearhead the tourism arm, while agriculture is split between Surrounded by mountain views, the Cardrona Terraces We personally own and lease New Zealand’s best quality dairy and deer farming, including the production of luxury lodge is the ultimate home of adventure. game estates. premium velvet and world-record trophy deer. FAMILY OPERATED OVER 30 YEARS CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION Duncan Fraser and family have been actively hunting We care about ethical hunting and are the only around the world for decades, constantly learning and New Zealand outfitter actively involved in education of refining to make our operation the best in New Zealand. youth hunters and conservation. BREATHTAKING MOMENTS AROUND EVERY CORNER On top of the world... down under From the unmistakable beauty of our South Island surrounds and the majestic animals roaming the habitat, to the luxury of our lodges serving the finest New Zealand cuisine, we specialise in creating moments that will take your breath away. The south of New Zealand is widely recognised for its incredibly diverse and unique landscapes. Here, the big red stags are hunted in managed areas, and at Venator Cardrona Safaris we ensure this territory is in their natural habitat. The hunting preserve is in undulating back country, covered in native vegetation. There’s excellent cover and plenty of draws and gullies. This environment delivers all the excitement of hunting in raw, untamed terrain, without compromising on accessibility – you can travel in on foot, drive in via 4WD, or be flown in. ADVENTURES LIKE NO OTHER This is a place where lifelong dreams come true We provide an unforgettable New Zealand adventure unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Giant, world-record red stags are just the beginning of the perfect hunt. We also offer a wide variety of big and small game hunts to complement any trip. For companions, Cardrona is renowned for its picturesque setting and smorgasbord of activities, from relaxing walks, winery tours, and boutique shopping, to more adventurous activities such as bungy jumping, sky diving, and jet boating. There’s a reason why it’s known as the ultimate adventure bucket list destination. SHARED MEMORIES YOU’LL NEVER FORGET Come as visitors, leave as friends As a family-owned outfitter, we love nothing more than sharing our warm New Zealand hospitality with you. For over 30 years we’ve hosted guests who have become lifelong friends. Whether we are guiding you around, showcasing the best of our country, or reliving your tales from earlier in the day, we guarantee you’ll feel at home when hunting with our family. THE ULTIMATE TROPHY YOUR SEARCH IS OVER. THE HUNT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN. It’s time to hunt the trophies you’ve been tracking all your life. Venator Cardrona Safaris is the home of quality big-game hunts, including world-record red stags, as well as chamois, Himalayan tahr, fallow, elk, goat, ram, boar, whitetail, sika, sambar and rusa. Duncan Fraser and his acclaimed team of guides will ensure that your lifelong dream becomes a reality, as you enter the land of the red giants. RED STAG RED STAG Hunt the king’s animal We provide a home for one of the largest privately-owned trophy red deer herds in the South Pacific. Thanks to decades of carefully focused game management, the quality of a Venator Cardrona Safaris red stag is unbeatable. This is how we’ve gained considerable acclaim for producing world-class trophies, with stags scoring in excess of 700 SCI and 20kg of antler. A trophy this big provides our hunters with a genuine ‘larger than life’ experience. It’s an exceptional time that you’ll never forget. RED STAG 700+ We know that the attraction of an individual trophy is based on personal taste. Therefore, we take great pride The pursuit in providing a variety of eye-catching stags, with great mass, exceptional width and long scoring points. of excellence Our team will help guide you to your target with the ‘spot and stalk’ style of hunting. Our approach is to always strive to exceed expectations – from the start of each day, throughout the hunting experience, right up until the final trophy harvest. RED STAG RED STAG 600-700 500-600 “I cannot wait to come back and spend more time in this paradise-like place! You have been more than welcoming hosts, and your generosity and kindness speaks for itself! Thank you 1000 times and see you next year.” Franz-Albrecht Oettingen-Spielberg, Germany RED STAG RED STAG 450-500 400-450 “Duncan Fraser’s Venator Cardrona Safaris is clearly one of, if not the top, outfitters in the South Pacific. Future record books will prove Cardrona’s success with trophy quality.” Mike Rogers, USA Host/Producer SCI’s Expedition Safari on Outdoor Channel ELK ELK Majestic and powerful The South Pacific elk originates from the bloodlines of the mighty Rocky Mountain elk. In New Zealand, the species is renowned for containing some of the largest elk found anywhere in the world. Commonly referred to as the wapiti (a native-American word), the elk is a prized trophy. Hunters come to our reserve from every corner of the globe each year to harvest quality trophies that rank alongside the best taken in North America. ELK ELK 450+ UP TO 450 “This has been a hunt of a lifetime. You guys are the best outfit I’ve been with, and I’ll come back anytime you’ll have me. Thank you for the great times and the awesome hospitality. You’re welcome at my house anytime.” InTravis 1909 elk Priefert were introduced to New Zealand courtesy of President Roosevelt. The loud ‘bugling’ vocalisation of the rutting bull rivals that of politics’ greatest orators. HIMALAYAN TAHR HIMALAYAN TAHR King of the mountains High up in the picturesque Southern Alps lives one of New Zealand’s premier big-game trophies. Along with the chamois, the bull tahr is considered the ‘King of the Mountains.’ While tahr can be hunted all year round, their rutting period is May, June and early July. During this period A stunning they have impressive long winter coats, which is as important a consideration as horn length when securing animal a trophy. They can be hunted in a variety of ways: by foot, spike camp, or helicopter assisted. The tahr is wide-ranging and can eat a huge range of different vegetation. Such characteristics make it an extremely successful invasive species – and a popular hunting target. EUROPEAN CHAMOIS EUROPEAN CHAMOIS An alpine gem The mountains also contain the striking European chamois, which can be hunted all year round. Their rutting period is May, June and early July, during which time they have a long, striking black coat. The chamois arrived here in 1907, as a gift from Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph I. Since then, they’ve An elusive provided many a thrilling pursuit for both local and international hunters. prey They can be hunted either by foot, spike camp, or via helicopter. Mostly active in the morning and evening, chamois have a reputation for being an elusive animal. You’ll enjoy every second of the challenge, however, and the landscape you’ll hunt them in is spectacular.